Dogs have a gestation period of nine weeks, and the puppies are about to be born! I've already prepared a "go bag" for my future puppies, you need to prepare one for your dog too! But do you know what to pay attention to? What needs to be prepared?
Preparation work
Preparing for the arrival of new life requires quite a bit of effort. Here is some information provided by experienced pet owners: (If there are any omissions, please remember to leave a comment to supplement it.)
1. Find a 24-hour veterinary clinic
First, register at the clinic and inform them of the due date. The clinic will be prepared, and in case of any emergencies, you can immediately take your pet to the clinic.
(Finding a 24-hour clinic on short notice would be very troublesome and quite expensive)
2. A warm and safe whelping area
The whelping area should ideally be placed in a quiet space, using a clean cardboard box or getting a dog whelping box, then lining it with thick towels and diapers. This keeps it warm and easy to clean.
(Best to set up a camera, so you can observe the dog without disturbing it)
3. Doctor's gloves
If you need to handle the puppy, you should wear gloves to avoid leaving human scent on the puppy, as the mother dog might reject a puppy with a different scent.
4. Heater and hot water bottle
If the temperature is too low, use a heater to maintain room temperature, and place a hot water bottle under a towel to keep warm.
5. Puppy formula
It can be purchased at veterinary clinics, and it usually comes with a bottle.After the puppies are born, they need to drink milk.
If the mother dog doesn't know how to nurse, you should wear gloves to assist her in feeding the puppies, or use a bottle to feed them (make sure to read the instructions carefully).
6. Tools for cutting the umbilical cord
Disinfectant, scissors, dental floss, and tissues.Dog mothers actually know how to bite off the umbilical cord, placenta, and clean themselves.
If the mother doesn't do this within about two minutes, you need to help tear the placenta, so the puppy can breathe, then cut the umbilical cord and clean the puppy.
7. Thermometer
As the due date approaches, you can check your pet's temperature daily. If it drops below 100°F (normal range is 100°F to 102°F), the puppies will be born within 24 hours.!
8. Timer
Generally, a dog mom will give birth to a puppy every 45 to 90 minutes. If this time has passed and no other puppy has been born, you should immediately consult a veterinarian or a dog midwife about the situation. You may need to take the dog mom to the clinic right away!
9. Experienced Whelping Assistance and Veterinary Consultation
After going through the above points 1 to 8, you should be feeling a bit overwhelmed.
If possible, definitely find an experienced whelper to assist on-site, and most importantly, have a veterinarian check the dog's condition thoroughly.
Note: The condition of the mother dog during pregnancy and childbirth may vary from dog to dog, so if you have any questions, remember to consult a veterinarian.
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